Harry Reid’s BIIIIIIIIIIIG Mouth

You truly wonder sometimes: when will these politicians of both parties and public figures ever learn that they must use their mind before they open their mouths? Read this:

In the course of a discussion on filibusters and Senate rules, Washington’s top Democrat gave the 60 juniors a lesson in partisan politics, particularly about the commander in chief. “The man’s father is a wonderful human being,” Reid said in response to a question about President Bush’s policies. “I think this guy is a loser.

“I think President Bush is doing a bad job,” he added to a handful of chuckles.

“He’s driving this country into bankruptcy,” Reid said, referring to the deficit. “He’s got us in this intractable war in Iraq where we now have about 1,600 American soldiers dead and another 15,000 injured.”

Now, understand Reid’s evolution as a national figure. When he became Minority Leader a lot of pundits said he’d be a backscenes operator, but a snore-inducer on television and definitely not provide the press with sound bytes. How wrong they have been: Reid seems to have a flair for the sound byte and has been getting good press.

Until now.

This the kind of name calling Republicans have (rightfully) gotten into trouble for over the years. Now Reid is indulging in it. And it naturally means (a)he’s giving his foes a great opportunity to use this quote against him and his party, (b)he has hurt his image, (c)he will have to apologize sooner or later.

So what do we see? The opponents:

Republican National Communications Director Brian Jones issued a statement calling the senator’s comments “a sad development but not surprising from the leader of a party devoid of optimism, ideas or solutions to the issues people care about most.”

And Reid apologizing SOONER:

After the statement was released, Reid phoned the Review-Journal to acknowledge he thought he crossed the line. “You know the president is in Europe, probably sleeping,” Reid said in an interview this afternoon. “But I called (Karl) Rove and apologized for what I said.”

Oh, yes, we’re SURE Karl Rove will never use that quote against him. This quote will be used on talk radio and some cable shows. It’ll endear him to staunch Democrats but will decrease his ability to persaude GOPers to listen to his ideas.